Another exploration by Kurosawa of the rotten, self-serving (yet surprisingly resilient) hierarchies men set up ostensibly for public benefit. A public property organization is in bed with a local developing company, with both sides making out like bandits. But someone somewhere knows something about the rotten dealings and initiates a series of pranks, which grow more and more audacious. This sets the guilty men, already under intense pressure from media scrutiny, at each others' throats. A fascinating premise and, unfortunately, a still relevant subject. I found The Bad Sleep Well a little uneven: there's some well-conceived scenes and shots (the slow wheeling of the ominous wedding cake towards the guilty is great) but felt there was a little too much exposition and explanation towards the end. Nevertheless, it's a much more relevant and mature approach to Hamlet. The daddy issues still nag, but because of Kurosawa's emphasis on the bureaucratic system, Nishi doesn't seem overgrown for the role. This one asks if it's really possible to take down an entire corrupt system with your bare hands without being taking on the stink of your opponent at the same time. Hey, that's a little Macbeth in there too, for ya.
No comments:
Post a Comment